ZELOTTI, Giovanni Battista
(b. 1526, Verona, d. 1578, Mantova)

View of the Hall of Olympus

1561-65
Fresco
Villa Godi Malinverni, Lonedo di Lugo Vicentino

In the Hall of Olympus, Zelotti transformed the space into an evocative ruin of an ancient pagan temple. Fragment of classical statues, broken-off columns and cracks sprouting shrubbery are painted on the walls with a skilful use of chiaroscuro. On three sides of the room, high up in the patch of sky that illuminates the scene, mighty gods sit above the clouds.